Inspiring entrepreneurs in redundancy blackspot

Jun 15 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

“Our four JobCentres in the area have recorded a 100% increase in registrations. Of these, Newton Aycliffe has seen the most job losses, with more than 700 redundancies from its manufacturing plants.”

James Walker, enterprise advocate for County Durham Economic Partnership, said: “Redundancy can be a difficult and stressful time and financial commitments often mean the pressure is on to find a new job quickly.

“We are helping people to realise that they have what it takes to run their own successful business. Anyone coming along to the event will be able to find out everything about starting a business and the agencies involved will offer support throughout the entire start up process.”

The event, at the town’s leisure centre, will run a series of 15-minute workshops throughout the day concentrating on the four main themes of starting a business – could I? should I? how do I? and who do I? They will look at generating business ideas, identifying opportunities, setting up and running a business and who can help and how.

Local entrepreneurs who have also successfully started their own firms will also be explaining how they did it.

The Enterprise Fair takes place from 10am to 3.30pm on June 24. Free transport will be provided. For more details, telephone 08453 306 401.